This study presents an assessment of the potential impact of geological contamination of the environment on the health of the population in Spissko-Gemerské rudohorie Mts. (SGR Mts.). The concentration levels of potentially toxic elements (mainly As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, Sb, and Zn) were determined in soils, groundwater, surface water, and stream sediments as well as in the food chain (locally grown vegetables). A medical study included some 30 health indicators for all 98 municipalities of the study area. The As and Sb contents in human fluids and tissues were analyzed in one municipality identified to be at the highest risk. Based on element content, environmental and health risks were calculated for respective municipalities. Out of 98 municipalities 14 were characterized with extremely high environmental risk and 10 were characterized with very high carcinogenic risk from arsenic (groundwater). Extensive statistical analysis of geochemical data (element contents in soils, groundwater, surface water, and stream sediments) and health indicators was performed. Significant correlations between element contents in the geological environment and health indicators, mainly cancer and cardiovascular diseases, were identified. Biological monitoring has confirmed the transfer of elements from the geological environment to human fluids and tissues as well as to the local food chain.

Health risk, defined as possibility or probability of health damage, illness or death of humans due to exposure to risk factors in the environment, was derived for geological environment (soils)

. Biovolatilization and biosorption have a great potential for bioremediation of contaminated localities. However, results showed that not all fungal species are effective in the removal of arsenic. Thus, more work in this research area is needed.

MCPA sorption and desorption in five surface soils (denoted as A1-5), three bottom sediments (S1-3), two river sediments (L1-2) and one subsurface soil (SS) at two initial concentrations in aqueous solution -C 0 = 0.5 and 10 mg/l were studied. No significant effect of the initial concentration on MCPA equilibrium distribution between soil/sediment and aqueous solution was observed. The difference between distribution coefficient K D at C 0 = 0.5 mg/l and K D at C 0 = 10 mg/l was found only in the case of one bottom sediment (S2). A simple regression analysis between K D at C 0 = 0.5 and 10 mg/l and soil/sediment properties indicated that the most important property which determined the variation in MCPA sorption is organic carbon (r = 0.886*** and r = 0.926***, respectively). Similarly, desorption of MCPA was inversely proportional to organic carbon content of the soils and sediments used (r = -0.862* and r = -0.842**). These observations showed that MCPA sorption and desorption in soils and sediments were primarily controlled by organic components of the geosorbents used. Overall, the percentage of MCPA sorption in soils and sediments was low (P sorp ≈ 3-53%; K D = 0.077-2.827 l/kg) and the percentage of MCPA desorbed was relatively high (P des ≈ 11-70%), especially in the soils and sediments with lower organic carbon content. The experimental results and calculated values of groundwater ubiquity score GUS and relative leaching potential index RLPI imply that MCPA is very mobile in all the surface soils and has a potential to contaminate groundwater.

Falťan V., Krajčírovičová L., Petrovič F., Khun M.: Detailed geoecological research of terroir with the focus on georelief and soil -a case study of Krátke Kesy vineyards. Ekológia (Bratislava), Vol. 36, No. 3, p. 214-225, 2017.The aim of this research is to present the application of the detailed geoecological research for use by the identification of natural elements of terroir, based on the example of cadastral area Krátke Kesy. The characteristics of georelief (influencing the microclimate of vineyards) and soil characteristics (affecting the vineyard nutrition) are the most important elements of a terroir on a local scale. We present maps of 10 types of geoecological complexes in topic dimension, whose borders were allocated on the base of georelief as a leading factor of regionalization. Foot slopes, transport slopes and terraces prevail in the vineyard. Cultivated Haplic and Luvi-Haplic Chernozem of the Danube Lowland have excellent conditions for precision agriculture. The impact of soil factors on vineyards was evaluated with the use of accredited laboratory analysis. Using statistical methods, we confirmed the hypothesis that the relationship between observed relevant soil elements in the study area and sugar content of grape is direct, and between the soil elements and acids in must is indirect. The biggest dependence was seen for magnesium, zinc and copper. Research results were presented in the form of maps and tables that can find use in vineyard and landscape-ecological practice.